Inside the Batman Editorial Mind

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Take a look at how DC maps out its plans for the Dark Knight - and maybe catch a glimpse of the future.

By Richard George

Okay, comic book fans, let's do something a little different. Over the past couple months, you've seen the IGN crew work and work to bring you some killer exclusives. Previews, interviews, videos, reviews - you name it, we've been all over it. Today we thought we'd do something a little different. We have an exclusive look at what Batman Editor Mike Marts calls "The Wall". The what now? Read on to find out...

Here's the basic idea. Rich, the EIC of the Comics channel, manages to make it over to New York City every few months or so to pay a visit to DC Comics. Typically Marts's office has the typical "editorial wall decorations" - covers and line art for upcoming titles. That's pretty ordinary. Last time Rich was there, those covers were missing. In their place was a massive mural tracking the locations and status of all of the Gotham-based characters (and then some). It was so cool that it immediately became the basis for a feature (hint: the one you're reading now).

We chatted with Marts briefly about The Wall, but in large part we're going to let you guys take a look and do your own guess work. This represents a look just around the corner for the Batman franchise. Chances are we'll be back with another look in a month or so. Be sure to check back for that!

IGN Comics: Mike, you're giving us a bit of a look at how the Batman editorial team plans out titles and tracks characters with some shots of what you call "The Wall". How long have you been using something like this and what necessitated doing something like this?

Mike Marts: We in the Bat Group — myself, editor Michael Siglain and assistants Harvey Richards and Janelle Siegel - have been using "The Wall" technique for two or so years now... but for the first year and a half, it was all in our heads!

When we started diving into the complexity of Battle for the Cowl (and all that follows it), we soon realized we needed something a bit more graphic and "in your face". There were just too many characters moving in too many different directions. So was born "The Wall".

Top of "The Wall"

IGN Comics: Is this something you plan on working with into the June relaunch?

Marts: Definitely. The June plans have already crept on to The Wall in a few places. I'm not saying where!

IGN Comics: -laughs- Fair enough. The Wall as it stands now reflects a certain time period in the overall saga of Battle for the Cowl. Where are we at this point and time?

Marts: What you're looking at now represents the time period just after BFTC #2.

IGN Comics: I notice Firefly showing up on the board. He's a character we've seen in cover shots but not in the Cowl series itself. How will he factor in to the fight for Gotham, and why spotlight him specifically?

IGN Comics: There are a few one-shots fans haven't had a chance to read yet – Arkham Asylum, The Underground and The Network. How do these titles play into the larger Cowl structure?

Marts: The Arkham one-shot tells the story of Dr. Jeremiah Arkham immediately following the events of BFTC #1. With his beloved Asylum destroyed and all of his inmates having been freed, Dr. Arkham will reach a crossroads in his life. The Underground deals with Gotham various villain contingents — Two-Face, Penguin, the Riddler, Poison Ivy, Catwoman — and how they are coping with the emergence of the Black Mask.

In The Network we see a coming together of the loose assemblage of heroes that Batgirl and Nightwing decided to recruit shortly after Batman's disappearance. Desperate times in Gotham has called for desperate measures — which essentially means "all hands on deck".

IGN Comics: I can't help but notice the Joker lurking there in the "At Large" section. Any chance of seeing him soon or is he keeping under the radar for the time being?

Marts: No comment!

IGN Comics: Any characters you'd like to point out to the readers? Any major moves or changes on The Wall that readers can expect in the coming months?

Marts: Well, you mentioned Firefly before. Another B-level Gotham villain who will moving to the forefront is Jane Doe. Look for her in one of our new monthlies in June. Black Mask will continue to play a large role in all things Bat-related. Spoiler's appearances in Gotham Gazette are only the beginning of what's next for Stephanie Brown.

So there you have it - a look inside how the Dark Knight team manages its roster of characters and how they keep various books sorted. Chances are you might spot some interesting clues on "The Wall" as well.

Since this is a bit of a departure for us, we'd love to know what you thought. Dig this kind of feature? Are we completely stupid? Sound off in the comments thread below. If it seems that you guys love this sort of thing, you'll see more. Hate it and... perhaps not! Meanwhile, stay tuned to IGN for the latest and greatest exclusives.